Sunday Gameday News and Notes

PHILADELPHIA (10 - 6 - 1) at NY GIANTS (12 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
NY GIANTS are 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points this season.
NY GIANTS are 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in all games this season.
NY GIANTS are 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in all lined games this season.
NY GIANTS are 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points over the last 2 seasons.
NY GIANTS are 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) against conference opponents this season.
NY GIANTS are 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY GIANTS are 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NY GIANTS are 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 127-88 ATS (+30.2 Units) against conference opponents since 1992.
PHILADELPHIA is 48-30 ATS (+15.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY GIANTS is 5-2 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
NY GIANTS is 4-3 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

SAN DIEGO (9 - 8) at PITTSBURGH (12 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 76-48 ATS (+23.2 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1992.
PITTSBURGH is 37-18 ATS (+17.2 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points since 1992.
SAN DIEGO is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) after 2 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 2-0 against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 1-1 straight up against SAN DIEGO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

NFC Playoffs Divisional Round

Philadelphia at NY Giants

Philadelphia
12-3 ATS as an underdog
12-3 Over as an underdog

NY Giants
5-0 ATS in playoff games
6-0 ATS revenging loss as favorite

AFC Playoffs Divisional Round

San Diego at Pittsburgh

San Diego
10-2 ATS off BB ATS wins
11-2 ATS off BB SU wins

Pittsburgh
2-10 ATS after scoring 30+ points last game
14-5 Over at home vs. AFC

PHILADELPHIA vs. NY GIANTS
Philadelphia is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games on the road
NY Giants are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
NY Giants are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing Philadelphia

SAN DIEGO vs. PITTSBURGH
San Diego is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Pittsburgh
San Diego is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Pittsburgh is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

Eagles: To say Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb has proven himself over the last six weeks would be an understatement. Since getting benched against Baltimore on November 23rd, McNabb has responded by leading the Eagles to a 5-1 record and within a victory of appearing in his fifth career NFC championship game. “I’ve been kind of revived, I guess,” McNabb said. “They’ve (critics) thrown me out, they ran over me, spit on me, but you know what, I just continue to prevail.” His teammates also believe. “I think we’re dangerous,” Philly CB Asante Samuel said. “We’ve just got to see how it plays out.”

Eagles are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 road games.
The UNDER is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings at New York.

Key Injuries - RB Brian Westbrook (knee) is probable.
OT Jon Runyan (knee) is questionable.
OG Shawn Andrews (back) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 13 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)

Giants (-4, O/U 40): New York dropped three of four down the stretch but won the only game that really mattered, a 34-28 victory against Carolina that secured home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Giants will be looking to stop a team that closely resembles their own squad from a year ago, but they have won three of the last four meetings between the teams. “The regular season is over, whatever the numbers might be,” New York head coach Tom Coughlin said. “We have been cast into a situation where we had the bye. You heard me say that I thought the bye was good for our team. I don’t know that I would necessarily say that every year. In this case, I thought it was.”

Favorite is 0-8 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
The UNDER is 7-2 in New York's last 9 games vs. NFC East.

Key Injuries - DE Justin Tuck (leg) is probable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 17

San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers

Chargers: San Diego rolls into Pittsburgh winners of five straight games yet will likely be without RB LaDainian Tomlinson due to a torn hamstring. The Chargers didn't miss Tomlinson much after he left last week's 23-17 overtime win against the Colts thanks to the play of Darren Sproles, who totaled 328 all-purpose yards, including 105 rushing on 23 carries. “We always talk about how we’re going to need each other and it’s not more important than it is now,” Tomlinson said of Sproles. “We definitely need him.” The hardest part for Sproles could be going up against the NFL's #2 run defense - alone.

Chargers are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 games vs. teams with a winning record.
The OVER is 3-1 in San Diego's last 4 games overall.

Key injuries - RB LaDainian Tomlinson (hamstring) is doubtful.
TE Antonio Gates (ankle) is questionable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 14

Steelers (-6, O/U 38): Pittsburgh narrowly escaped with an 11-10 victory in the last meeting between the teams back on November 16th, which ended controversially after the referees took a defensive touchdown off the board for the Steelers. They failed to score an offensive touchdown on three trips inside the 20-yard line and realize that must change in order to get to the AFC championship. “We moved the ball, but we sputtered in the red zone,” Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger said. “We can’t afford to do that. We can’t turn the ball over. The big thing is we can drive up and down the field, but we have to be able to put the ball in when we get down there.”

Steelers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
The OVER is 14-2 in Pittsburgh's last 16 January games.

Key Injuries - QB Ben Roethlisberger (concussion) is probable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 24 (Side Play of the Day)

Eagles @ Giants - Road team won both series meetings in this divisional rivalry; Giants (+3) won first game 36-31, running ball for 219 yards; in rematch, Iggles (+6.5) won 20-14 in Week 14, holding Big Blue without an offensive TD for 59:00 (Giants scored TD on blocked FG). McNabb wasn't sacked in either game. Much was made of Eagles double-teaming Burress 75% of time in first meeting; when he didn't play in next game, that freed up extra defender to stop run (Giants had 88 rushing yards in rematch). Philly won five of last six games since 36-7 loss in Baltimore when Kolb played QB in second half. Lot of familiarity here.

Chargers @ Steelers - Health of Big Ben huge concern for Steelers, who won six of last seven games, holding all six victims to 13 points or less. Third concussion (not counting the motorcycle accident) has to be a red flag. San Diego (+4.5) lost 11-10 at Heinz in Week 11, weird game where Steelers outgained Bolts 410-213, were +2 in TOs, but didn't score TD on nine drives, kicking two FGs on three red zone visits (also had fumble return for TD nullified on last play of the game). Pitt had 13 penalties in that game, Chargers two. Sproles has turned into capable replacement for Tomlinson; interesting to see how he bounces back after 328 total yards (third best in playoff history) in last week's overtime win.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants
By Josh Jacobs

There’ve been some memorable moments when the Eagles and Giants get together on the gridiron. Whether it was Chuck Bednarik laying out Frank Gifford in 1960 (for you oldie but goodies out there), Herm Edwards scooping up a fumble from Joe Pisarcik for a touchdown return in the Miracle of the Meadowlands or the 1981 upset by the Giants in hostile Veterans Stadium, the two teams are steeped in tradition.

So how fitting is it that New York and Philadelphia come together for the third time this season in the NFC Divisional Playoffs?

Let’s begin Sunday’s 1:00 p.m. EST breakdown between the divisional rivals by saying that this is only the fourth time that both teams have squared off in the playoffs throughout the NFL’s history. In the 1981 wild-card showdown and the 2001 divisional playoff game, the Giants emerged as victors.

It wasn’t until the 2007 first round contest at Lincoln Financial Field that the Eagles would slingshot themselves past New York for a 23-20 victory. In the final moments of that contest, Philadelphia’s RB Brian Westbrook drove down field, setting up the game winning, 38-yard field goal by David Akers.

Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened the Giants as 4 ½-point home favorites with a total of 40 attached for Sunday's scrap. Scanning down the list of books, only a few spots have raised the stakes to five points in favor of New York. The consensus seems to be hovering around four points with the end of the week approaching.

And shops have been consistent at setting low totals for this contest. In eight games at the Meadowlands, the set total has averaged 41.6 PPG. What we get as an end result are competitions which have averaged a total outcome of 44.1 PPG inside Giants Stadium with the ‘over’ recorded at 4-3-1.

The weather conditions are always a factor as Vegasinsider.com expert handicapper, Pat Hawkins explains. “On a betting perspective, check the status on the wind. Giants Stadium is notorious for windy conditions. The latest weather report has a game time temp in the 20's with 12 MPH winds.”

In their past five meetings, New York is 3-2 SU but a solid 4-1 ATS. This leads us to recap what has transpired this season between the two teams.

It was back in Week 10 that the Giants waltzed into Lincoln Financial Field with one mission; to limit Philadelphia RB Westbrook’s actions on the field. And indeed that plan was successful. The G-Men’s stiff defense once again proved too difficult to contain as the Eagles’ QB Donovan McNabb completed just 47 percent of his passes for 194 yards. But the key was holding Brian Westbrook to 26 rushing yards on 13 attempts.

After backs’ Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw combined for 219 yards rushing, the Giants were able to close the door in a 36-31 win. New York didn’t need the three-point handicap to cover the spread and the 42 ½ closing total wasn’t close to the combined score of 67.

This will be key for the Giants come Sunday. Getting the trio of running backs in its stable to produce hefty numbers on the ground will allow QB Eli Manning to loosen up his game through the air. Remember, this is a core of backs that finished the regular season with a combined 2,469 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 468 carries.

But as ASA reported in its NFL Rematch Round piece, the regular season results doesn’t give gamblers a suitable prediction for what will result in the Divisional Playoff contest “as one game tells us one thing and the rematch told us the exact opposite."

Week 14 was exactly what ASA is referring to as Philadelphia won and covered as 6 ½-point visiting underdogs over New York, 20-14. The game wasn’t as close as the score indicated, with the Giants scoring a TD in the final seconds of the contest.

The difference in Philly’s win compared to the earlier season defeat stems from holding bruising back, Jacobs to just 52 yards on 10 attempts. As part of the domino effect without WR Plaxico Burress as the go-to guy, New York’s Manning failed to get the ball going through the air. Manning mustered up just 123 yards passing with one score on 13 completions in 27 attempts.

What the Giants failed to do in both meetings this season was to sack Donovan McNabb. In-fact, New York averaged 3.8 sacks per game from Week 1 to 9 but dropped to 1.9 sacks per game from Week 10 to 17.

One edge that the Eagles hold over the Giants is in the secondary. Cornerbacks Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown and safeties Brian Dawkins and Quintin Mikell have helped produce 15 interceptions (11t), helping the 4-3 base defense bag up 48 sacks (3rd best). The secondary can also be commended for holding the opposition to passing for a third best, 182.1 YPG during the season. This stat transended down to the wild-card win in Minnesota last week (26-14). That final box score shows that QB Tarvaris Jackosn and the Vikings struggled for 153 passing yards.

All of this defensive pressure has brought smiles to the faces’ of gamblers with the Eagles cashing in for a 5-1 ATS record in the last six (allowing opponents to score 12 PPG). And it can’t be overlooked that in the last eight head-to-head meetings the underdog is a perfect 8-0 ATS.

The Giants will descend upon the Meadowlands with a 3-1 ATS record as 3 ½ to 6 ½-point favorites versus the Eagles’ perfect 2-0 ATS record as 3 ½ to 6 ½-point underdogs. Even with the loss in Minnesota during Week 17, 20-19, New York increased their ATS run to 8-2 in its last 10.

We can’t overlook Philadelphia’s RB Westbrook’s injury plagued season. With knee and ankle problems through much of the year, Westbrook broke the century mark on the ground just three times (Philly covered the spread in all three of those games). Of course there’s the 402 receiving yards with five scores. In his last six starts (Philly has gone 5-1), Westbrook has racked up a total of 20 catches for 174 yards with three scores (not to mention 389 rushing yards with three scores).

Since we're on the topic of star running backs, the Giants are a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS when Brandon Jacobs has past the century mark on the ground. The 'over' was also a perfect 4-0. But with the big man on the bench, New York finished the season with a 1-2 SU and 2-1 ATS record. Jacobs has said that his ailing knee feels good and that he's ready to play in Sunday's throw down. And when RB Derrick Ward has recieved 10-plus carries, the G-Men have gone 7-3 SU and 8-2 ATS.

Since the bye week (Week 7), the Eagles are 7-3-1 SU and 7-4 ATS. But it’s really after the McNabb benching incident during Week 12 that Philly has returned money with a 5-1 ATS stint.

The ‘under’ is 4-1 in their last five head-to-head meetings with books setting the total from as low as 40 ½ (in their last get-together) to a high 47 ½. The Eagles are also a near spotless 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a visiting ‘dog.

Several obvious questions remain that won’t be answered until the final result of the game is determined. Did the bye week help or hurt the Giants? Are the Eagles the feel good story of the 2008-09 season (in comparison to New York’s run to the Super Bowl last season)? Will Westbrook be the X-factor for Philadelphia?

More importantly, who’s your money going to be sitting on come game time?

vegasinsider.com

San Diego at Pittsburgh
By Brad Young

The biggest victory in San Diego Chargers history occurred in Pittsburgh when the franchise won the 1995 AFC Championship Game to advance to Super Bowl XXIX. In fact, San Diego has won both of its playoff games in the Steel City while going a dismal 0-13 during the regular season.

These two teams collided in a memorable matchup just a few months ago when Pittsburgh prevailed as a 4½-point home ‘chalk,’ 11-10. That marked the first time in league history that a game ended with that score, but Pittsburgh should have been awarded a touchdown (and a cover) on the final play of the game that was inadvertently called off by instant replay.

The combined 21 points never seriously threatened the 41-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ cash the last three games in this series. The Steelers are 2-1 straight up and 1-2 against the spread during those three matchups.

“Bettors will draw on the financial aspect of that game as the last time these two teams hooked up, a last second touchdown by Steeler safety Troy Polamolu was denied by way of an officiating error,” said VegasInsider.com handicapper Paul Bovi. “That error allowed the Chargers to cover the contest much to the chagrin of the public that overwhelmingly supported Pittsburgh.”

Caesars Palace installed Pittsburgh as a 6½-point home ‘chalk’ over San Diego for Sunday’s contest, with the total set at 38. The line opened with the Steelers listed as a six-point favorite, with a total of 39½.

“With the number holding firm at 6½ with an ‘over/under’ of 38, the bookmakers are discounting the Chargers recent offensive prowess,” said Bovi. “The line is suggesting that San Diego will manage between 14 to 17 points.”

San Diego (9-8 SU, 8-8 ATS) enters this contest riding a five-game SU winning streak (4-1 ATS) after knocking off Indianapolis last weekend in overtime during Wildcard Weekend as a 2½-point home underdog, 23-17. The combined 40 points went ‘under’ the 50-point closing total, ending a string of three straight ‘over’ outings.

The Chargers led the Colts in first downs (26-17), rushing yards (167-64) and time of possession (37:09-29:11), but were hindered by a pair of turnovers. Quarterback Philip Rivers completed 20-of-36 passes for 217 yards with an interception, while Darren Sproles had 22 carries for 105 yards with two scores including the game winner. Backfield mate LaDainian Tomlinson had just five carries for 25 yards and a touchdown in limited action.

Pittsburgh (12-4 SU, 9-7 ATS) enjoyed a bye week compliments of the AFC’s second seed. The Steelers throttled Cleveland two weeks ago in the regular season finale as an 11-point home favorite, 31-0. The 31 points failed to eclipse the 33 ½-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 3-1 the previous four outings.

Pittsburgh controlled all aspects of the game, leading in first downs (20-8), rushing yards (176-106), passing yards (193-20), turnovers forced (2-1) and time of possession (33:20-26:40). However, the Steelers had some anxious moments when signal caller Ben Roethlisberger suffered a concussion in the second quarter.

The Miami of Ohio product went 9-of-14 passing for 110 yards with an interception before being knocked out, while backup Byron Leftwich entered to go 7-of-12 passing for 80 yards. Running back Willie Parker accounted for 23 carries and 116 yards with a score in the victory.

San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson (groin) is ‘doubtful’ versus the Steelers, while tight end Antonio Gates (ankle), wide receiver Vincent Jackson (possible suspension), place kicker Nate Kaeding (groin) and linebacker Brandon Siler (foot) are ‘probable.’ Wide receiver Malcom Floyd (lung) is ‘questionable’ for this contest.

Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (concussion), linebacker James Harrison (hip) and cornerback Ryan Clark (shoulder) are ‘probable’ against the Chargers.

CBS Sports will provide coverage of Sunday’s contest beginning at 4:45 p.m. ET from Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field. Sunday’s forecast calls for cloudy skies with a 10 percent chance of snow, with the high listed at 27 degrees and a low of 26.

vegasinsider.com

Philadelphia (10-6-1, 11-6 ATS) at N.Y. Giants (12-4 SU and ATS)

The defending Super Bowl champion Giants, who got last week off as the NFC’s No. 1 seed, play host to the surging Eagles in a playoff battle of NFC East rivals at the Meadowlands.

New York finished the regular season on a 1-3 SU skid (2-2 ATS), including a 20-19 loss to Minnesota. However, the Giants rested or limited several players in that contest, so much so that they went off as a seven-point road underdog, yet the Vikings still needed a last-second field goal to get the victory playing at full strength. QB Eli Manning (11 of 19, 119 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs) played only the first half, and David Carr (8 of 11, 110 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs) was solid in relief as New York had no turnovers and rallied from a 10-0 first-quarter deficit. Even in losing, the Giants outgained the Vikes 357-328 and won the time-of-possession battle by almost nine minutes (34:19-25:41).

With the Giants losing but covering against the Vikings, the SU winner failed to cover for the first time in New York’s last 13 games.

Sixth-seeded Philadelphia faced that same Minnesota team last Sunday in the wild-card round, pulling away for a 26-14 victory as a three-point road chalk to improve to 5-1 SU and ATS in the last six weeks. QB Donovan McNabb (23 of 34, 300 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) was solid, despite throwing one pick and losing a fumble, and RB Brian Westbrook came up with McNabb’s lone TD pass, turning a screen play into a 71-yard scoring jaunt to put Minnesota in control with a 23-14 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The Eagles defense got a 44-yard INT return for a score from Asante Samuel in the first half, and it shut out Minnesota in the second half, holding RB Adrian Peterson (20 carries, 83 yards, 2 TDs) well below his season average of 110 rushing ypg.

These division rivals met just over a month ago in the same location, with Philly claiming a 20-14 win as a 6½-point road underdog, halting a 3-0 SU and 4-0 ATS run by New York in this series. The underdog has cashed in the last eight clashes, including six outright upsets, and the road team is on a 6-1 ATS tear. That includes New York’s 36-31 win in Philadelphia as a three-point ‘dog in the first meeting this season.

New York led the NFL in rushing offense (157.4 yards per game, 5.0 yards per carry) and ranked in the Top 10 in scoring offense (26.7 points per game, tied for third) and total offense (355.9 ypg, seventh). RBs Brandon Jacobs (1,089 yards, 5.0 ypc) and Derrick Ward (1,025 yards, 5.6 ypc) both cracked the 1,000-yard barrier, with Jacobs 11th and Ward 15th among the league’s top rushers. Jacobs also had 15 rushing TDs, tying Tennessee’s Lendale White for third. Manning completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 3,238 yards with 21 TDs and 10 INTs.

The Giants also fielded a Top 10 defense as well, with averages of 18.4 ppg (fifth), 288.8 total ypg (fourth), 196.2 passing ypg (eighth) and 95.8 rushing yards (ninth). New York finished the year with a plus-9 turnover differential.

In the regular season, Philly had the league’s sixth-best scoring offense (26 ppg) and was ninth in total offense (350.5 ypg), paced by the sixth-rated passing attack (244.4 ypg). McNabb completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 3,916 yards and 23 TDs, against 11 INTs. Also, Westbrook, despite being dinged up a few times during the season, rushed for 936 yards (4.0 ypc) and nine TDs, and he had 54 catches for another 402 yards and five scores.

Philadelphia fielded one of the league’s best defenses, allowing 18.1 ppg, 274.3 total ypg (third), 182.1 passing ypg (third) and 92.2 rushing ypg (fourth). The Eagles finished the year with a plus-3 turnover differential, and last week, they played even with the Vikes, as both teams had two giveaways.

The Giants went 9-3 ATS as a chalk this season (6-1 last seven) and were 6-2 ATS at home, and they are on further spread-covering streaks of 21-6 overall, 4-0 in January, 5-0 in the playoffs (including last year’s Super Bowl title run), 7-1 after a SU loss, 5-1 at home and 16-5 against winning teams. The lone knock against New York: a 6-13 ATS slide at home against teams with a winning road record.

The Eagles are on a slew of positive ATS streaks, including 5-1 in the postseason, 11-4 on the highway, 4-0 in playoff roadies, 4-0 as an underdog, 10-1 as a road pup and 4-0 against winning teams. Philly is also 5-1 ATS in its last six divisional playoff games.

The over for New York is on runs of 9-4-1 at home and 7-3-1 with the Giants favored, and the over for Philadelphia is on stretches of 20-6 with the Eagles as an underdog, 7-2 with the Eagles as a road pup and 23-10-1 against winning teams. However, the under for the Giants is on rolls of 4-1 overall, 5-1 in the playoffs, 4-1 in January and 7-2 against the NFC East, and the under for the Eagles is on streaks of 6-1-1 in the playoffs, 5-1-1 after a SU win and 5-1 on the road.

ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. GIANTS

San Diego (9-8, 8-8-1 ATS) at Pittsburgh (12-4, 9-7 ATS)

The fourth-seeded Chargers, winners of five straight games, make the cross-country trek to Heinz Field to take on the Steelers, who won six of seven down the stretch to get the AFC’s second seed and a bye week.

San Diego, which had to win its last four regular-season games just to get into the playoffs, kept rolling in last Saturday’s wild-card contest by edging Indianapolis 23-17 in overtime as a 1½-point home underdog. QB Philip Rivers (20 of 36, 217 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT) had a sub-par outing by his standards, and the Chargers lost the turnover battle 2-0. But RB Darren Sproles – picking up the slack for an ailing LaDainian Tomlinson – had 105 yards and two TDs on 23 carries (4.6 ypc), five catches for 45 yards, plus another 178 yards on kickoff and punt returns for a whopping 328 all-purpose yards.

Sproles clinched the victory with a 22-yard TD run on the only possession of overtime. Tomlinson (5 carries, 25 yards, 1 TD) was limited by a groin tear, and is doubtful this game.

Despite having nothing to play for, Pittsburgh capped the regular season with a 31-0 shuout of Cleveland as an 11-point home chalk, ending on a 5-1 SU and ATS run. But the win over the Browns came at a cost, as QB Ben Roethlisberger (9 of 14, 110 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT) suffered a concussion in the second quarter and did not return. RB Willie Parker (23 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD) led a ground game that gained 176 yards, and the Steelers’ finished with a 369-126 edge in total yards. Pittsburgh also won the turnover battle 2-0, with Tyrone Carter taking an INT back 32 yards for a fourth-quarter TD.

Roethlisberger practiced all week and has been cleared to start.

San Diego has covered in its last two meetings with Pittsburgh, following a 4-0 SU and ATS run by the Steelers in this rivalry. Two months ago at Heinz, Pittsburgh got a field goal in the final minute to post the first 11-10 victory in NFL history, though the Steelers would have covered if a Troy Polamalu fumble-return TD on the game’s last play wasn’t mistakenly overruled by officials. The favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last seven clashes.

In regular-season action, San Diego finished second in the league in scoring at 27.4 ppg and put up 349 ypg (11th), including 241.1 passing ypg (seventh). Rivers finished as the NFL’s highest-rated passer, completing 65 percent of his throws for 4,009 yards (fifth in the league) and 34 TDs (tied for first) with just 11 INTs. Tomlinson (1,110 yards, 3.8 ypc, 11 TDs) was 10th in the league in rushing in what was easily the least productive of his eight seasons.

On defense, the Chargers allowed 349.9 ypg (25th), but that only translated into 21.7 ppg for their opponents (15th). Factoring in last week’s minus-2 effort versus the Colts, San Diego is now just plus-2 in turnover margin for the year.

Pittsburgh’s offense was in the back half of the league in the regular season, with per-game averages of 21.7 points (20th), 311.9 total yards (22nd), 105.6 rushing yards (23rd) and 206.3 passing yards (17th). Roethlisberger was the NFL’s 24th-rated QB, competing 59.9 percent of his passes for 3,301 yards, offsetting 17 TD throws with 15 INTs. Parker, limited to 11 games, rushed for 791 yards (3.8 ypc) and five TDs, and WR Hines Ward (81 catches, 1,043 yards, 7 TDs) tied for 14th in receptions and was 15th in receiving yards.

With such a lackluster offense, the Steelers needed a sterling defense, and they had it in the league’s No. 1-ranked unit in points allowed (a meager 13.9 per game), total yards (237.2 per game) and passing yards (156.9), along with the second-best run-stopping squad (80.2 ypg). Despite those impressive numbers, Pittsburgh finished just plus-4 in turnover differential, thanks in most part to Roethlisberger’s miscues.

Despite their middling SU record, the Chargers are on pointspread hot streaks of 4-1 overall, 4-0 in the playoffs, 10-1-1 as a ‘dog of 3½-10 points, 21-7-3 as a pup of any price, 4-1-1 as a road ‘dog, 9-3-1 against winning teams and 11-5 after a spread-cover.

The Steelers, along with their current 5-1 ATS surge, sport positive pointspread trends of 4-0 in January, 5-0 in the playoffs, 4-1 against winning teams and 22-8 as a home chalk of 3½-10 points. But Pittsburgh also carries negative ATS streaks of 1-6 after putting up more than 30 points and 2-7 after a SU win of more than 14 points.

The under for San Diego is on stretches of 7-1 in January, 5-1 in the postseason, 7-2-1 against AFC foes and 6-2 against winning teams. However, the over is 16-6-2 in the Chargers’ last 24 roadies, and it is on rolls for Pittsburgh of 44-19-2 at Heinz Field, 7-1 in home playoff tilts, 14-2 in January, 10-2 in playoff games, 5-1 with the Steelers as a playoff chalk and 11-4 against the AFC.

Finally, the under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings between these squads, with the last three in a row staying low.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER

Gametimepicks.com

What bettors need to know: Eagles at Giants
By VICTOR RYAN

Game: Philadelphia Eagles (10-6-1, 11-6 ATS) at New York Giants (12-4, 12-4 ATS)

Line: New York opened as a 4.5-point favorite and is now at -4. The total has dropped a point from 41 to 40.

Head-to-Head

It was only a month ago that the Eagles went to East Rutherford and beat New York as 6 .5–point underdogs 20-14, which was also the Giants’ only home loss of the season. In the season’s first matchup in Philadelphia, the Giants rolled to 218 rushing yards and won 36-31.

Injuries

Eagles’ running back Brian Westbrook did not practice this week because of a sprained right ankle, but is expected to start. Westbrook had a huge game in the last matchup against the G-Men with 33 carries for 131 yards. Giants’ running back Brandon Jacobs, who sat out the season-finale against the Vikings because of a bad left knee, returned to practice Wednesday and will start this week.

Weather

Things could be wet. There is a 60 percent chance of snow and showers in the forecast for Sunday morning with a high of 32 degrees.

Tee It Up

These division rivals are familiar with each other and the Eagles don’t figure to be lacking confidence given that win in New York in Week 14, noted above. While Jacobs did miss the second half of that one because of injury, Big Blue struggled mightily on offense throughout. The team was nearly shutout in that one, save a 71-yard blocked field goal return and garbage-time touchdown. The Giants were held to 211 total yards by the Eagles and just 123 coming through the air in what was their first game without receiver Plaxico Burress.
By playing their best ball late in the season, the Eagles are drawing comparisons to last year’s Super Bowl-winning Giants, which got hot late and won three straight road playoff games en route to the big game. Philadelphia comes into this having won five of its last six and boasting a stingy defense that has given up 14 or fewer points over its last five games.

While momentum seems to be on the Eagles’ side, these teams are close to even many key statistic categories and the Giants are, after all, the defending champs at home. New York’s balanced offense ranked seventh in the league with 355.9 yards and 26.7 points a game, while the Eagles’ offense averaged 350.5 yards and 26 points a game good for ninth placing.

The defenses are also close to a coin find. Philly possesses the NFL’s third-best defense, allowing a stingy 275 yards and 17.8 points a game. The Giants surrender 292 yards and 18.4 points a game good for the league’s fifth best rating.

The Burress Situation

The season-long suspension to No. 1 receiver is beginning to look like a hurtful loss for the Giants. New York’s offensive output slowed considerably without him over the last quarter of the season, especially production from QB Eli Manning. He failed to throw for 200 yards in any of the season’s last four games (though he only played a half in the season finale) and, according to Eagles players following their last matchup, appeared vulnerable to pressure without his ‘go-to’ receiver on the field.

Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson will blitz from anywhere and it will be interesting to see if Giant wide receivers Amani Toomer or Domenik Hixon can step up and fill the role of bailing out Manning when he’s under duress.

Notable Trends

The Giants are taking 65 percent of the action at Logans.com. In the last eight games of this series the underdog is 8-0 ATS; the Giants are 21-6 vs. the number in their last 27 games overall; and the under is 10-2 in the last 12 games at Giants Stadium.

What bettors need to know: Chargers at Steelers
By MATT SOUTHARD

San Diego Chargers (9-8 SU, 8-8-1 ATS) at Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4 SU, 9-7 ATS)

Line movement

In most places, the line is holding steady at –6 with a hook going in either direction popping up sporadically in some books. Likewise for the total with the exception being that some places are trending down towards 37.5.

Injuries

San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson is out (torn groin tendon). Tight end Antonio Gates was limited in practice this week due to a high-ankle sprain. Gates (eight receptions for 87 yards) performed well last week despite the injury in the Chargers victory over the Colts. Kicker Nate Kaeding is struggling with a mild groin strain but should play. Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is probable despite suffering a concussion in Pittsburgh’s regular season finale.

Weather

It's Pittsburgh in January and it's the playoffs, so it makes perfect sense that the forecast is calling for a high of 26 degrees and scattered snow showers.

Recent history

On Nov. 16 the teams played in the NFL's first game to end with an 11-10 score. The Steelers emerged victorious that snowy day thanks to three Jeff Reed field goals and a safety. Of course some bettors will remember this game forever because Pittsburgh (-4.5) had a last-second Troy Polomalu fumble recovery for a touchdown called back when referees ruled that San Diego had committed an illegal forward pass during a series of laterals on a last-ditch effort to get into the end zone from its own 21-yard line.

How'd they do that?

Pittsburgh managed to win the game despite never crossing the goal line. They also outgained the Chargers 410-213 in total offensive yardage and held the ball 13 minutes longer. Luckily for the Steelers Jeff Reed battled the elements and managed to kick field goals of 21, 41, and 32 yards. The 32-yard field goal was the game winner with 11 seconds remaining in the contest. The loss dropped San Diego to 0-13 all-time in regular season contests at Pittsburgh and 2-3 ATS in its last five meetings in Steel City.

Chilly Chargers

The conditions in the regular season contest were cold and snowy and that won't change in this matchup. San Diego played only one other time in conditions you could consider cold, a 36-degree contest in Kansas City on Dec. 14 which the Chargers won 22-21 as 6-point favorites. But Pittsburgh in January is a completely different beast.

Kaeding’s injury doesn’t help instill confidence in the Chargers. As critical as field goals were in the regular season game, a muscle injury to a kicker in cold and slippery conditions to the kicker is enough to raise some alarm.

The Chargers did cover in New England in the 2007 AFC title game in a 21-12 defeat as 14-point underdogs.

Sproles in for a test

With Tomlinson out, backup Darren Sproles gets another chance to cement his playoff legacy. The running back had 328 yards of total offense last week against the Colts and scored the game-winning overtime touchdown. But the 5-foot-7 Sproles is going against a big, physical and fast Pittsburgh defense that ranked second in the NFL in rushing yards allowed at 80.2 yards per game.

Sproles brings a dynamic play all across the field with his explosive ability to not only come out of the backfield, but also return kicks. Another diminutive back gave Pittsburgh fits in last season's playoffs. Maurice Jones Drew returned three kicks for 90-plus yards in the Jacksonville Jaguars' 31-29 defeat of the Steelers.

Much-needed rest

The Steelers under head coach Mike Tomlin are 1-1 ATS coming off of a bye, with their victory coming this season after a 38-10 shelling of Cincinnati on Oct. 19. The week off came at the right time for the Steelers. It allowed Roethlisberger to shake off the aftereffects of the concussion he suffered in the season finale.

Extra seven days also gives defensive coordinating genius Dick LeBeau to make the proper adjustments. In the first regular season game between the two teams Pittsburgh intercepted San Diego's Philip Rivers twice and held the highest-rated quarterback in the league (105.5) to his worst game of the campaign at 44.4.

Where the action is: Sunday's key NFL line moves
By BETED.COM

Randy Scott is the sportsbook manager at betED.com. He spills the beans on Sunday's NFL lines.

Philadelphia 40 NYG -4

Weather: Partly Cloudy, Temp 31° F, Wind N – medium

- The pointspread opened at: NYG -3.5

- The total was hit by wise action at: Under 41
- Where most of the bets are: Philadelphia

- Where most of the money is: NYG

- Philadelphia key injuries: RB Brian Westbrook-knee,ankle (probable): Westbrook says he is good enough to help the team. WR Greg Lewis-foot (probable); FB Dan Klecko-shoulder (questionable)

- NYG key injuries: RB Brandon Jacobs-knee (probable): Jacobs said Wednesday he feels as good as he has since Week 3 of the season, but he's still not fully healthy. DT Fred Robins-shoulder (probable); TE Kevin Boss-ankle (probable)

*These two teams split wins this year, each win coming on the road. The first game going to the Giants 36-31 and the second game going to the Eagles 20-14. We give this next game only coin flip odds to the winner. Because of that, we have the Eagles down with favorable odds to cover the pointspread. Wise money is on the Under in this game.

San Diego 38 Pittsburgh -6

Weather: Cloudy, Temp 25° F (feels like 16 ° F); Wind WNW – light
- The pointspread opened at: Pittsburgh -6

- The total opened at: 39
- Where most of the bets are: Pittsburgh

- Where most of the money is: Pittsburgh

- San Diego key injuries: RB LaDainian Tomlinson-groin/abdomen (doubtful); TE Antonio Gates-ankle (probable): Tight end Antonio Gates is still dealing with a high ankle sprain and also sat out practice Wednesday, but expects to play Sunday. WR Vincent Jackson-leg (upgraded to probable)

- Pittsburgh key injuries: QB Ben Rothlisberger-concussion (probable): Roethlisberger practiced Thursday. ; LB James Harrison-hip (probable)

*Pittsburgh is reasonably heavy favorite to win outright, but we see this game a lot closer than the odds would suggest. We give San Diego favorable odds to cover the pointspread but Steelers to win at home. Look for this line to drop come closer to game time.